Kentucky G DJ Wagner entering transfer portal

Field Level Media|published: Mon 15th April, 11:44 2024

Mar 15, 2024; Nashville, TN, USA; Kentucky Wildcats guard D.J. Wagner (21) dribbles against the Texas A&M Aggies during the second half at Bridgestone Arena. credits: Steve Roberts-USA TODAY Sports

Kentucky guard DJ Wagner plans to enter the transfer portal following the coaching change with the Wildcats.

Wagner averaged 9.9 points, 3.3 assists and 1.9 rebounds in 29 games (28 starts) as a freshman last season.

John Calipari's exit to Arkansas fed speculation Wagner could join him in Fayetteville, with Memphis and Rutgers among other schools being mentioned in the recruiting rumor mill.

Wagner will reportedly also meet with new Kentucky coach Mark Pope, and players entering the transfer portal are permitted to return to the same program.

May 1 is the deadline to enter the transfer portal, with the NBA draft deadline set for April 27.

The NBA draft could also be under consideration by Wagner, the son of former Memphis guard Dejuan Wagner and grandson of Louisville legend Milt Wagner. Both played in the NBA.

DJ Wagner was an All-American and the Gatorade National Player of the Year at Camden High School (NJ) as a senior. He was the Wildcats' starting point guard last season but shared time in the Kentucky backcourt with top scorer Antonio Reeves, fellow freshman Reed Sheppard and All-SEC sixth man Rob Dillingham.

—Field Level Media